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The U.S. Embassy is only able to admit individuals who have scheduled appointments. Individuals who cannot schedule an appointment online but think they have qualifying reasons for an expedited appointment request, should contact us at CONSLAO@state.gov.
The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy Vientiane assists U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency such as a death, arrest, illness, injury, missing persons, destitution and other circumstances. For more information on crises and emergency assistance overseas, please see the State Department website on Emergencies and Crisis.
A U.S. citizen who requests emergency assistance can call the American Citizen Services section during normal business hours at 001-856-21-48-7000 from outside of Laos or 021-48-7000 within Laos. Outside of normal business hours, call 001-856-20-487-600 from outside of Laos, or 021-487-600 within Laos.
Note: The time difference between Washington DC and Laos is + 11 hours.
The ACS Unit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., except Lao and American Holidays. We are also closed to the public every Friday. You must have an appointment for non-emergency services. ACS working hours is 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Passport pick up hours are only between 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 am Monday through Thursday, except Lao and American Holidays.
For more information email at Conslao@state.gov.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our
international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
We are in the process of updating our country specific information on international parental child abduction. Should you require immediate assistance, please contact our office by calling 1-888-407-4747 or emailing askci@state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Sometimes concerned relatives and friends call us when they haven’t heard from a loved one who is abroad. We can help to pass messages to these missing Americans. Consular officers use the information provided by the family or friends of a missing person to locate the individual, and pass along the caller’s message. We check with local authorities in the foreign country to see if there is any report of a U.S. citizen hospitalized, arrested, or otherwise unable to communicate with those looking for them. Depending on the circumstances, consular officers may personally search hotels, airports, hospitals, or even prisons. The more information that the caller can provide, the better the chances are that we can
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
If you live in Laos and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Philippines.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; we cannot vouch for this information.
Legal Assistance Medical AssistanceAmericans traveling or living in Laos are subject to the laws of the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. Please bear in mind that the Embassy has limited jurisdiction in the assistance it can provide to Americans with legal problems in Laos. Consular officer are only authorized to supply Americans with a list of attorneys. Consular officers cannot serve as an attorney or provide legal advice. In addition, the U.S. government cannot pay for the legal fees or other expenses of an American with legal problems. While a consular officer will do whatever he/she can to protect your legitimate interests and ensure you are not discriminated against under local law, a consular officer does not have the authority to release prisoners, to provide guarantees of their comportment, or to provide funds for bail.
Medical facilities and services in Laos are limited and do not meet Western standards. U.S. citizens in Laos often seek medical care in Thailand. The Friendship Bridge linking Vientiane, Laos, to Nong Khai, Thailand, is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Officials generally will allow travelers to cross after hours in cases of medical emergency.
The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.
If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.
If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.
Renunciation of U.S. citizenship is a very serious decision and, once approved by the Department of State, is irrevocable. Potential renunciants are asked to carefully reflect on their decision before making an appointment to execute the Oath of Renunciation at the U.S. Embassy.
Please call: +856-21-487-600 or +1 301 985-8789 ext. 7600
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +856-21-487-000
Outside of Laos: +1 301 985-8789
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
